Children need to have protection for their teeth during the early stages of development. This goal can easily be achieved with the help of dental sealants because they can prevent the development of cavities on the back teeth.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has stated that 80 to 90% of cavities in adolescents develop on the chewing surface of permanent teeth and most of the cavities are located on the molars. They are commonly referred to as fissure or pit decay and these cavities can easily be prevented by applying a protective coating of a dental sealant.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are thin plastic material that is bonded on the surface of a child’s back teeth. They work as a protectant to prevent food and debris from getting trapped within the gaps of the tooth. Dental sealants do not hamper the chewing of the food but only prevent the development of bacteria which is often a cause for deterioration and rot.
Which Teeth Should Be Sealed?
Many parents believe there is no need to seal baby teeth because they are not permanent and will fall off eventually. However, the sealants dentist will recommend that any tooth that is at risk of tooth decay should be sealed. Teeth with deep pits and fissures can also be sealed even if it’s a baby tooth. The American Dental Association has recommended the sealing of permanent and premolars as soon they erupt which is usually between the ages of 6 to 13.
Should Wisdom Teeth Be Sealed As Well?
Wisdom teeth erupt between the ages of 17 to 21. The consensus around other molars is to seal them as soon as they erupt to prevent any decay but the case with wisdom teeth is slightly different. It has been stated by the American Academy of Maxillofacial Surgeons that most people have insufficient room in their mouths for the final set of molars and a dentist may need to remove the child’s wisdom teeth if they are affecting the child negatively. If the wisdom teeth erupt normally they should be treated like their other molars and sealed as soon as possible.
The Procedure for Applying the Sealants
Many children are anxious about dental visits but the procedure for applying the sealants is pretty straightforward. It is nothing for you or your child to be concerned about because it requires no numbing medications or drilling. It is, however, essential that you have the sealants applied by an experienced pediatric dentist who will ensure that the tooth prepared for the sealant is completely dry before the application.
Many people have complained about the ineffectiveness of sealants until it was revealed that the procedure was undertaken by an inexperienced pediatric dentist who did not allow sufficient time for the tooth to dry out. Therefore it is suggested that you visit Wheatland Dental for dental sealants in Saskatoon, SK.
The dental hygienist at dental sealants in Saskatoon will prepare the tooth or teeth to be sealed by removing any plaque or residual food debris. They will also polish the tooth and clean the pits and fissures. The tooth will be isolated after the cleaning and dried before the surface is etched. Thereafter the etching material will be rinsed before the tooth is dried again. This is particularly important for the sealant to be effective.
The sealant will be applied to the tooth with a tiny brush before being dried with a self-curing light and bonded to the surface of the tooth in about 30 seconds.
After the application, the dental hygienist will evaluate the sealant to ensure it has cured fully. After it hardens the sealant creates a plastic coating across the surface of the tooth.
Your Child’s Teeth Will Benefit from Dental Sealants
If you wish to prevent tooth decay and other oral hygiene issues in your child’s mouth dental sealants act as an excellent preventive measure. However, you must understand it is not a substitute for basic oral hygiene which must be practiced regularly without exceptions. The child must be taught to brush twice a day for two minutes each with fluoride toothpaste, floss at least once a day, stay away from sugary and acidic foods and visit the pediatric dentist every six months for checkups and exams. Dental sealants are just a preventive measure that complements good oral hygiene habits and will benefit your child if all suggestions are followed appropriately.
